Improvement in seedliwgs-pullers



UNITED STATns Parmwr @Ferca J OHN S. SWANEY, OF MARIEN GO, IOWA. v

IMPROVEMENT IN SE'EDLINGS PULLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,744, dated November'- l0, i874; application tiled June '27, i874.

To all whom it may concern: ings in the side bars of the frame K. The Be it known that I, JOHN S. SWANEY, of rear ends of the side bars of the frame l Marengo, in the county of Iowa and State of are slotted to receive and ride upon the axle Iowa, have invented a new and useful Im- D. The frame K fits between the side bars of provement in Seedlings-Puller, of which the the frame B', so vthat it may be held against following is a specification: lateral movement by said frame B. To the Figure l is a top view of my improved4 macenter of the shaft J is attached a polygonal chine, partly in section, to show the construchub, L, having eight, more or less, sides. To tion. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section the outer edges of the sides or faces of the of the same, taken through the line x a0, Fig. polygonal hub L are hinged an equal number l. Fig. 3 is a detail view, showing the arof pairs of sectors or jaws, M, which together rangement for adjusting the height of the pullform a double wheel, as shown in Figs. l and ing-wheelabove the ground. 2. The sectors or jaws of each pair are Similar letters of reference indicate correpressed toward each other by small wheels spending parts. N, which bear against their outer sides, and

The invention will first be fully described, roll along ring-shaped tracks, guides, or cams and then pointed out in the claims. O, which are attached to uprights P, which A are the forward wheels, which revolve are secured to the middle parts of the side upon the journals of the axle B. O are the bars of the frame K, and the upper ends rear wheels, which revolve upon the journals of which are connected and held in position of the axle D. The journals of the axles B D by a cross-bar, Q. To the front cross-bars are made long, and have several holes formed of the frame K is attached a rearwardly-proin them to receive the linchpins, so that the jecting bar, It, to the rear end of which wheels may be adjusted wider apart or closer is attached a wedge shaped block, S, the together, as the distance apart of the rows pointed end of which, as the shaft J re of seedlings to be pulled may require, the volves, enters between the sectors or jaws of wheels being kept in place when moved outeach pair. The sectors M and wheels N are ward by washers or collars placed upon the allowed to move outward by outward curves inner end of the said journals, and secured by formed in the forward part of the ways O, as set-screws. To the rear wheels G are secured shown in Fig. l. The wheels N revolve upon spring-pawls E, the engaging ends of which standards T, the lower ends of which are in take hold of the teeth of the ratchet-wheels serted in keepers attached to the inner parts F placed upon the inner ends of the journals of the sectors M. The sectors or jaws M are of the axle D, and secured in place by setpressed toward each other by springs II inscrews, so that the said wheels O may carry the terposed between them and the standard T, said axle D with them in their forward revoand which allow said sectors to yield to adlutions, but may roll backward without turnjust themselves to the thickness of the plants ing the said axle. The axle D revolves in grasped by them. V are springs interposed bearings attached to the rear part of the between the ways O and their supports, to alside bars of the frame B' to the center of low the jaws or sectorsM to yield still further the front cross-bar of which frame the front to adjust themselves to the thickness of the axle B is pivoted by a king-bolt. To the axle plants grasped by them. The springs U and D is rigidly attached a large chain-wheel, G, V must be of sucha strength as to force the around which passes an endless chain, H, jaws M toward each other with such force that which also passes around a small chain-wheel, they will grasp the plants with sufficient firm- I, attached to the shaft J, so that the said ness to draw their roots from the ground. The shaft J may be revolved rapidly by the slow faces of the jaws or sectors M should be lined revolution of the axle D. Two sets of the or cushioned with leather or other suitable wheels and chain G H I should be used, one material, to prevent them from crushing or set being connected with each end of the shaft injuring the plants grasped by them.

J. The journals of the shaft J revolve in bear- With this construction, as the machine is Q v l563744 drawn forward, the jaws or sectors M will be opened to allow the plants to pass between them, and will then grasp the said plants and draw their roots from the ground. As the jaws are again opened by the opener S, the plants will drop into a concavity formed in the cross-bars ofthe frame K, or into a trough or receiver attached to said frame, whence they are taken by an attendant and bound, and the bundles thrown upon the ground, or they m. y be thrown upon the ground in loose bunches. As the plants pass up at the rear side of the wheel J L M theyr are struck by the horizontal rod W, the ends of which are bent downward, pass through guides w attached to the bars P, and are pivoted to the cranks X formed upon the shaft X. rlhe shaft X revolves in bearings attached to the frame that connects the front and rear axles of the carriage, and to it is attached a small pulley, Y, around which passes an endless band, Z, which also passes around a larger pulley, A', attached to the axle D, so that the rod W may receive a rapid up-and-down movement from the advance of the machine. The rod WV should have a tubular roller covered with rubber or other suitable material placed upon it, to prevent it from injuring the plants by striking them.

By this device all the soil will be knocked oft' the roots ot' the plants before they are dropped into the receiver.

The forward end of the frame K can be raised or lowered to adjust the pulling-wheel J L M at the proper distance above the surface of the ground, and is held in position, when adjusted, by pins (y, which pass through holes in the side bars of the frame B and enter holes in the side bars of the frame K, or in the uprights P attached to the said frame K, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination of rolls N, jaws M, and cams K, with pivoted arms T and springs U V, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the revolving puller-wheel, of the dirt-cleaner W, operated substantially as shown and described.

JOHN S. SWANEY.

Witnesses:

J. Q. A. HUrroN, J. B. WILsoN. 

